Summer is nearly here, officially it already is, but the snow outside my window says otherwise! With summer comes finishing project cars, major auctions, and car shows. It seems like summer hasn’t really started until there have been a few major auctions and events. Well, Amelia Island has already come and gone, so we were trying to decide what would be the next big event worth checking out. As it happened, Callum at Silverstone Auctions contacted us to let us know about a special auction they are holding this weekend and it took us by surprise! They have sold a number of barn finds over the years, but this is the first time they have held an auction featured nothing but barn finds and project cars. The Restoration Show Sale will be held on April 12th in the UK. They do accept online bids, so don’t let the distant stop you if there is a car you must have. We do have a lot of readers over in the UK, so if any of you are able to attend please let us know how it goes!
There are some amazing high-end cars in this auction, including a pair of Aston Martin DBS and a pair of Jaguar XK150s. We have always been fans of British classics like Aston Martin and Jaguar and while we would love to have either of these cars, they are well out of our budget. Thankfully, there are a number of other lower-priced cars on offer and even some without reserves.
On the lower-budget end, there are some great cars ranging from Jensen Interceptors to MG Midgets. These cars aren’t the typical trailer queens seen at most high dollar auctions and many are in rough shape. The whole theme for this event is dusty barn finds and unfinished projects, so it could be a great chance to pick up a project to finish this summer. We still haven’t decided how we feel about events focused on cars like this, but we are glad to see these hit the market rather than stay hidden.
While we have mixed feelings about the spotlight being on our beloved barn finds, we have to admit that we are glad someone has put together an event that brings so many of them together, no matter their value. How many other events can you see a lowly Austin A30 share the spotlight with a Pontaic Firebird, an ’80s Vauxhall Chevette, and a 1939 Lagonda V12 with custom Hooper body? No matter the value, nearly every one of these cars has something that makes them interesting. We could go through each one and share their story, but rather than ramble on here is the complete list of cars. Be sure to check them out and let us know which ones are your favorites!
This should prove to be an interesting auction to follow because it could shape the future of our hobby. Let’s just hope that Silverstone is the only auction house to venture into the world of unfinished projects, as we don’t know if we would enjoy watching the televised auctions driving the prices of these cars up too. Given the distance from our market and the variety of high and low end cars, we aren’t too concerned about this particular event driving prices up in our area, but we will be sure to keep an eye on values. For the time being, we will just enjoy all of these great photos and pretend we have the money to buy something!
Hi Josh, I am attending the auction and restoration show, so I will take some photos and give you whatever update I can after the event.
Sounds great Liam, we will look forward to your post auction coverage! Thanks.
Wow, I’d be all over that Vauxhall Chevette, and that red Interceptor would be nice too if, in the unlikely event, it goes cheaply. Those three door Range Rovers are collectible too though perhaps not to the extent of importing one. I’ll be very interested in hearing from Liam about the sale! ^_^
This looks to be a very interesting auction, altho some of the cars look like they have just come from the resto shop, like the Porsche 912, or sat well cared for in a garage without even a speck of dust, like that 2,370 mile FIAT X1/9. So you would need to be prepared for some of them to be pretty good looking cars, likely bringing top dollar. BTW, how do you use up 10 (2.5 gallons) litres of Waxoyl anti-rust on such a small car in one go?
Love to have one of the Aston DBSs, even the one with the old straight-6 engine, but if you’re going to have one, why not go for that big V8? It’s hard to think of a more handsome GT from that era.
Next would be that lovely ’86 BMW M3. At an estimated 25-30K GBP that’s about US$41-50K. Yep, these are moving up, and I’ll bet it has a good chance of being sold even if the steering wheel is on ther wrong side.
Next would be the black ’59 Caddy, even if it was a 4-door. Who could afford a convertible, anyway?
Other contenders:
– the ’65 Mustang GT350 tribute
– the ’88 BMW 2.7 Alpina
– the ’53 Citroen Traction-Avant…”Gallic charm” indeed
– the ’61 Lancia Flavia Cabrio by Hooper
– etc
– etc
My vote for the most unlikely vehicle in a UK car auction:
– the Firebird, complete with battering ram bumper, plastic flares and vents, and that outrageous graphic on the hood. I’ll bet the owner had some bit of trouble flying under the radar in that beauty.
I’m curious as to what that beige compact car with the side opening hood is in the background of the picture with the red Jensen Interceptor. I can’t seem to place it.
I don’t know why, but out of these cars the Morris Oxford seems to speak to me the most. Perhaps it’s my curiosity about the Hindustan Ambassador. It’s interesting to see the humble little car that evolved into one of the longest produced cars in Earth history.
Jim-Bob, the car you ask about behind the red Jensen, is a ‘Skoda’.
Thanks. I was thinking it could be a Skoda from the pre-VW days as it has a semi-modern Eastern block look to it.
The Ford Sierra Cosworth is one that they SHOULD HAVE brought to the US. Yes there was the Merkur XR4Ti but that was the watered-down version.
I am a sucker for the XK’s of course the 120’s/140 are the coolest but by the 150’s particularly the S they were more refined.
either of the midgets or 912 would be my pick. but if it was close, not ” across the pond ” the 62 midget would have a bid or 3 from me. boy would i love to have that car. great find
Just for fun, I’m going to throw in some reverse snobbery.
Oh, my favourite Aston – a DBS. Dang, its one of those V8s with that ugly volume under the front bumper that ruins the looks for me. Hehehe.
Ooo boy, I’d love that firebird.